The Responses of Patients with Red Eye to a Dry Eye -- by Paula F. Hernandez, O.D.

Title

The Responses of Patients with Red Eye to a Dry Eye

Author

Paula F. Hernandez, O.D.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the symptoms of patients diagnosed with the anterior segment conditions of allergic conjunctivitis, viral conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, blepharitis, meibomianitis and superficial keratitis.

Method

A questionnaire was given to 148 patients asking them about the presence, frequency and severity of symptoms such as discomfort, dryness, scratchiness, soreness, light sensitivity, blurry vision, itching, burning, and foreign body sensation at the time of diagnosis.

Results

Some of the symptoms reported for specific conditions matched those expected to be seen. Others, however, were not commonly expected or did not match the time of day they were expected to be the most severe

Conclusion

Further investigation of larger patient populations is warranted so as to make more concise and complete profiles of patients with these diagnoses and to further aid in differential diagnosis based on subjective history.